Dunside
Also within
Condition (NatureScot)
Favourable (1)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Arthropoda (excluding insects and trilobites) | Favourable | — | 2007-02-15 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Silurian
Description
DUNSIDE Dunside, lying 7km south-west of Lesmahagow, is a locality of international importance for studies of Silurian age arthropod faunas. The marine deposited rocks of the Priesthill Group, formed approximately 430 million years ago, yield a number of eurypterids (water scorpions), in addition to crustaceans and primitive ‘fish’ fauna. These species make up the typical and distinct fauna of the Lesmahagow area, and include specimens of large species only found elsewhere as fragments. Dunside is the type locality for seven eurypterid species and is a key site for studies of arthropod history and palaeobiology.